South Forsyth Students Dominate DECA State Competition

More than 100 students from along with students from across Georgia gathered in downtown Atlanta for the annual three-day DECA (an association of marketing students) State Career Development Conference.

The South Forsyth High students have much to be proud and happy about during last weekend's event – they ended up receiving more wins than any other school in the state.

“I could not be more proud of my students," said Katie Pniewski, South Forsyth High DECA advisor and marketing teacher. "I am so excited to have such a huge success my first year teaching. I am extremely lucky to work with dedicated, veteran teachers my first year.”

The school has 82 students who now qualify for international competition, which will be held in Salt Lake City this April. Those students will have the opportunity to compete in several categories, including written events, interviews, role-plays, case studies, as well as individual and team presentations.

South Forsyth also won the title of largest chapter in all of Georgia with 812 professional, alumni, and student members. This is the fourth year in a row the school has won the title.

"When South Forsyth was called for the largest chapter, we were absolutely ecstatic," said Annalise Abney, a senior at South.

Melissa Vuocolo, Madison DiMauro, and Nayaab Babar won first place in the “Learn and Earn” event for their project on the recent SFHS Prom Fashion Show.

Elizabeth Heard, Ashley Postell, and Sydney Janes won first place in the “Entrepreneurship Promotion Plan” event. It's a project promoting entrepreneurship within the South Forsyth community.

"This weekend was such a great experience," said Freshman Elizabeth Heard.  "Knowing that all the work we have done the last four months paid off. Winning first place as a freshman is something I will never forget."

SanJay Velappan placed first in the category of Entrepreneurship Participating Franchising.

Jean-Baptist ,this year’s Georgia DECA Vice President of Civic Consciousness, and Lauren Calvert, this year’s Georgia DECA Vice President of Chapter Development, were both recognized. Calvert was also elected Georgia DECA President for the 2012-2013 school year by the students at the conference.

About DECA

DECA is an association for marketing education students. It represents the program of student activity known as co-curricular, rather than extracurricular, since DECA activities are designed to reinforce the competencies taught in marketing and management classes.

DECA is also a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian career and technical student organization composed of voluntary members, with marketing education teacher-coordinators acting as advisors. Students elect their own chapter officers and delegates who have direct vote in their state association of DECA and in their national organization of DECA. All chapters are self-supporting, with members paying chapter, state association, and national membership dues.

DECA members learn to serve as leaders and followers and have the opportunity for state and national recognition that they might not otherwise receive. The local DECA chapter is the "showcase" for student achievement and progress and is the public relations areas of the Marketing Education Instruction Programs.